Twins place Morneau on waivers

If Morneau is claimed before Wednesday's deadline, the Twins can work out a trade with the claiming team, let that team take his contract or pull him back and keep him in Minnesota. If he is not claimed, the Twins are free to negotiate with any team.

Morneau was drafted by the Twins in 1999 and has been a cornerstone of the team for a decade. He is in the final year of his contract and declined to comment Tuesday about being placed on waivers.

Manager Ron Gardenhire says placing players on waivers is simply a procedural move that the Twins and other teams do with a majority of their players every August.